Scarf Depicting Rail Delays Sells for $8,650

A German rail commuter recorded each day’s travel by knitting a scarf.

1 minute read

January 28, 2019, 11:00 AM PST

By Camille Fink


Munich Train

CC0 Public Domain / Max Pixel

Claudia Weber spent the last year knitting a scarf—two rows a day with different colors reflecting the severity of delays on her rail trips to and from Munich. "The resulting four-foot 'Bahn-Verspätungsschal,' or 'rail delay scarf,' has become something of a social-media sensation," reports Palko Karasz. It eventually sold on eBay for about $8,650 with the money going to a German charity organization.

The scarf was a way for Weber to express her frustrations with Deutsche Bahn, the national rail operator. “In the spring, everything seemed fine, reflected in rows of gray and pink in the scarf. But then came the summer, represented by a wide band of red as the repairs got underway,” says Karasz.

While Germany has a reputation for efficient and reliable service, critics note that the quality of Deutsche Bahn’s performance has dropped in recent years. The country's infrastructure is also aging and showing the effects of low investments with problems at airports and on road and rail networks

Wednesday, January 16, 2019 in The New York Times

stack of books

Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023

The world is changing, and planning with it.

November 24, 2023 - Planetizen Team

Close-up of 'Red Line Subway Entry' sign with Braille below and train logo above text in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Red Line Extension Could Transform the South Side

The city’s transit agency is undertaking its biggest expansion ever to finally bring rail to the South Side.

November 24, 2023 - The Architect's Newspaper

Diagram of visibility at urban intersection.

How ‘Daylighting’ Intersections Can Save Lives

Eliminating visual obstructions can make intersections safer for all users.

November 27, 2023 - Strong Towns

People walking on paved path in green city park with trees and tall city skyscrapers in background.

Green Spaces Benefit Neighborhoods—When Residents can Reach Them

A study comparing green space and walkability scores found that, without effective access to local parks, residents of greener neighborhoods don’t reap the health benefits.

December 3 - American Heart Association News

Aerial view of Eugene, Oregon at dusk with mountains in background.

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums

In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

December 3 - NBC 16

White, blue, and red Chicago transit bus at an urban bus station with shelter.

Chicago Announces ‘Better Streets for Buses’ Plan

The plan establishes a ‘toolkit’ of improvements to make the bus riding experience more reliable, comfortable, and accessible.

December 3 - City of Chicago

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.